Color changing antiseptic composition



Patented Oct. 12,` v1948 ooLoR cHANGINQArIsrTIc comoslriorg Frederick C. Dohrmann;IiosfAngelesQCalif.

Substitutedfor application Serial No. A333.8871, j January 21, 1929. This application flelleb-y ruary 28, 1944, Serial No. 24,219l

1 This invention relates to a color changing antiseptic and germicidal composition.

The present application vmay be considered as a substitute application formy prior forfeited application Serial No. 333,881, filed January 21, f-

It is an object-of the invention to provide an antiseptic and germicidal solution which after a predetermined lengthfof time will undergo a decided change in color, thereby calling the attention of the user-"ofthe solution to the fact .that

ythe solution has probably deteriorated and is no longer safe to use to accomplish the normal or expected results. In` this manner the Yuser of the solution is notified that a new or fresh solution lshould be substituted therefor.

. The present invention lis of general application but may be very advantageously used to sterilize` brush` heads of. tooth brushes after use. Antiseptic and germicidal solutionsvused for steriliz- `ing tooth brushes are apt t0. have their antiseptic and germicidal properties exhausted after a comparatively short period of time and may be considerably diluted' withuse so that a fresh solution should be used for the old one.

As a means of indicating when the solution should be replaced the present invention contemplates changing the color of the solution in a decided and sudden manner, thereby notifying the user that the solution should be changed.

My invention consists of the composition of matter hereinafter described and claimed. In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated by Way of example the construction of the composition of matter embodying the invention.

Fig. 1 is a vertical cross section of a capsule embodying the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a similar cross section showing a modifled form thereof.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, wherein similar reference characters designate similar parts, a capsule, tablet or pellet illustrated in Fig. 1 consists of a core or coloring portion l enclosed within a shell 2. An antiseptic and germicidal composition 3 surrounds the shell 2.

In the modied form shown in Fig. 2, 4 indicates the core of the color changing composition, and 5 a surrounding shell enclosing the same.

The core l is compounded in the following manner:

Parts Gum acacia 50% alcohol 50 Powdered magnesium carbonate '50` Amaranth dye 175000 'The ingredients above mentioned are thoroughly mixed together and are formed into a pill-like or spherical body.V This may be formed by any suitable or preferred means and the body thus formed is given aecoating of approximately 1/6'; inch in thickness consisting of one part of shellac mixed with one'part of powdered magriesium carbonate, thus forming the surrounding shell 2.

rIhe .outer coating 3 is compounded as follows:

Water V A ounces-- 2 Thymol grams-- 1 Menthol I l f r do' 1 Sodiumperborate V do .1 Boricacid 1 do 4 Ifhese ingredients are thoroughly mixed into a 'paste and are applied about the shell 2.

The capsule prepared as above described may then'be placed into water to be used as an antiseptic and germicidal solutionV for sterilizing tooth brushes. The outer body 3` Will go into .solution in the Water, leaving the shellacked core l. About seven grams of the body 3 and about oner gram of core l `are suiilcient for two ounces of' water. Thel coating of shellacNZ slowly d isintegrates in the course of a few`days,rallowing the water to reach the core l and to suddenly liberate the intensely red amaranth dye which will impart its color to the solution, thus indicating that a change or replacement of the latter is necessary.

The magnesium carbonate serves merely as an inert filler to give body to both the core I and the surrounding shell 2. By increasing the size of the core, but by use of the inert ller, a larger outer surface is exposed to the solvent action of the antiseptic solution so that the time in which the shell 2 disintegrates to liberate the coloring agent may be more easily and accurately controlled. In a like manner the magnesium carbonate in the shell 2 serves to control the time by rendering the shellac with which it is associated more easily soluble.

It is desirable that the coating or shell 2 be disintegrated in a predetermined length oftime, such as for example seven to ten days. It is obvious that by making the coating 2 of less thickness the liberation of the coloring matter will take place in a shorter interval of time. Conditions of temperature of the solution and stirring of the solution abo-ut the shellacked core I will hasten the liberation of the coloring matter but this is ordinarily of no consequence. The object of the present construction is to produce a sudden composition will thus be always associated with, the color indicating means. It is possible to pre-V pare an antiseptic solution separately and to use therein a color indicating means as shown in Fig.

2 wherein the core 4 contains the-coloring matter surrounded by a shellac coating 5.

The invention also contemplates a change of' color in the solution itself. For instance, the

antiseptic solution, slightly alkaline, may be` colored a carmine tint by means of a sodiumsalt.

of phenolphthalein, and the core may consist of any acid such as, for example, citric acid, which when liberated by. the deterioration or breaking down of the coating 5 will render the solution slightly acid,` thereby quicklyv neutralizing the CarmineA color of the solution.

It will. be understood that the invention does not consist in the. specific proportions of the ingredients of thebody 3. Anyother suitable composition soluble in water and possessingI anti,- septic and germicidal properties may be substituted therefor. Likewise, any other suitable dye may'be substitutedor amar-anth. Thecoating of shell'ac maybe replacedv by any other suitable coa-ting or shell which, within a relatively short periodicitime, will allow access'of the solution to the interiorofthe coating so asto liberate the coloring matter of the core.

In the form-V of construction illustrated in Fig. 2 thefcore 4 enclosed; in the coating or shell 5 may beI of any composition which on being liberated by thev deterioration of shell 5.will either color the solution or bring-about a desired change of color ofthe solution if the. solution is already colored.

Various changes may be made inthe details of construction without departing from the spirit or' scope. o f the invention as dened by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A capsule having an inner core of a dye, a shell enclosing said dye, said shell having the property of allowing access to said dye after an extended interval of time when immersed in Water, and an outer body associated with said @Ore containing a Water solubleantiseptic and germi@dali ccm-Position..

2. An indicator for antiseptic solutions comprising a shell including shellac mixed with magnesium carbonate, said shell being slowly soluble. in a predetermined time in the antiseptic solution in which it is to be used, said shell enclosing amaranth dye to impart a desired change of color to the solution upon its liberation from said shell.

3f.V A capsule having an inner core containing amaranthY dye surrounded by a shell of shellac, and an outer body surrounding said core containing a Water soluble antiseptic and germicidal composition.

4. A capsule having an inner core of a dye, a she 11 enclosingsaidI dye, said shellV having the property of allowing access to said dye within a predetermined length of time when immersed in a liquid, and an outer body associated with said core containing an antiseptic and a germicidal composition-soluble in the liquid.

FREDERICK C. DOHRMANN.

' REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the fle of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS- 

